The African Competition Forum (ACF) was launched in Nairobi, Kenya on 3 March 2011. The launch conference was co-hosted by the Kenyan Monopolies and Prices Commission (MPC) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) with support also given by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID).
The ACF launch was attended by representatives of 23 national and regional competition agencies from across Africa, regional and international organisations such as UNCTAD, OECD, the World Bank, EU, SADC and CUTS as well as scholars and experts in the field of competition policy.
The principal objective of the ACF is to promote the adoption of competition principles in the implementation of national and regional economic policies of African countries, in order to alleviate poverty and enhance inclusive economic growth, development and consumer welfare by fostering competition in markets, and thereby increasing investment, productivity, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Specifically the forum will assist in building the capacities of agencies in the region and promoting awareness and appreciation of competition principles amongst government and other stakeholders.
A Steering Committee of the ACF comprising of the heads of competition agencies from Kenya, South Africa, Senegal, Gambia, Tanzania, Morocco, Egypt and Zambia was elected by the members of the Forum at the launch. Mr Francis Kariuki, Head of the Kenyan Monopolies and Prices Commission was elected Chairperson of the steering committee, with Mr Shan Ramburuth of the South African Competition Commission as Vice-chair and Mr Malick Diallo of Senegal’s National Competition Commission as Secretary.
In his keynote address, Kenya’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta said:
“This Forum is important because it provides a platform for mobilizing and harnessing experiences and ideas in competition regulation. This is necessary for improving our management of the competition policy and law so as to deepen our gains from the local, regional and international liberalized markets which is very pertinent to our initiatives of reducing poverty on the continent of Africa.”
Newly appointed Chair, Mr Francis Kariuki said: “The ACF will raise awareness and provide support as widely as possible for the creation of strong competition regimes in Africa. The Forum will share information on appropriate practices in competition law and enforcement and will collaborate in building institutional capacity throughout the continent.”